complement 1 of 2

noun

ˈkäm-plə-mənt How to pronounce complement (audio)
Definition of complementnext
1
as in supplement
something that serves to complete or make up for a deficiency in something else with his practicality and her refreshing enthusiasm, they are perfect complements to each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in capacity
the largest number or amount that something can hold a full complement of sailors on the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

complement

2 of 2

verb

ˈkäm-plə-ˌment How to pronounce complement (audio)
as in to adorn
to serve as a completing element to this silk handkerchief will complement your suit very nicely and give it a bit of dash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complement
Noun
Rahman said head spas are generally fine as a complement to actual medical treatments, and for people who simply enjoy them. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Jodie Woods served as a bright complement to her sister’s gold look, wearing a pink Alberta Ferretti evening gown that features a distinctive, theatrical floor-length cape detail integrated into a sleek silhouette with a high-leg slit. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
Canada’s artificial intelligence talent, research capabilities, and energy resources complement those of the United States, just as its resources and manufacturing did in the twentieth century. — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Purple ankle-strap heels can add a unique touch to any little black dress, or use them to complement shades of eggplant. — Nuria Luis, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complement
  1. supplement
  2. capacity
  3. adorn
  4. volume
  5. enhance
  6. real estate
  7. complete
  8. decorate
Noun
  • This growth is driven by increasing demand for natural food colors, color-changing beverages, health supplements, and organic skin care products.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The development comes after Klitschko, a former boxer, filed a supplement this week to his September guardianship petition, claiming a non-family member had sold some of Panettiere's possessions, including jewelry, to a pawn shop.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of supplement
Noun
  • Buntar plans to use the funding to increase manufacturing capacity, recruit engineering and operations talent, and expand beyond intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance into other defense and civilian applications.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The 16,900-capacity arena, also home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, has hosted the Dream’s playoff appearances this season.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of capacity
Verb
  • The image could be found on T-shirts, hats, billboards, beer bottles, Christmas ornaments and even adorned the cover of several books written about the championship season.
    — Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The exterior of the sculpture is adorned with synthetic braids, a fundamental material with Peacock, for whom braiding is a metaphor for relation, an embrace, irreducible intimacy.
    — Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of adorn
Noun
  • The group’s North America business returned to volume-share growth in calendar year 2025 and fiscal year 2026, after a significant period of decline.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Only its convenient foods division in Europe, the Middle East and Africa reported declining volume, of 1%.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of volume
Verb
  • That decade saw other international debuts, including Sweden, Hong Kong, Australia, France and Japan — places that would enhance the awareness and international visibility of the brand — all by 1968.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There could be uses in agriculture as well, for selectively enhancing edible parts of plants, Theriot said.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of enhance
Noun
  • Commercial real estate revenue dipped 1% year over year due to lower capital markets activity.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Music’s mainstream is also currently less hospitable to hip-hop than its been in years past, leaving real estate up for grabs (Drake is the only rapper to post a top 10 Hot 100 hit as a lead artist in 2026).
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of real estate
Verb
  • When asked about potential trust issues, Al Hassan pointed to the government’s history of completing projects and handling emergencies, like the pandemic.
    — Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Add us as a Google Preferred Source Jenni Kayne, the nearly 25-year-old California lifestyle brand, is getting into the denim business, which completes its vision for full-wardrobe dressing.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of complete
Verb
  • Kitted out like a beachhouse, the exhibition stand is decorated with the show’s classic red life preservers, surfboards and even a lifeguard’s hut on the patio.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • On the day of the scavenger hunt, the team hides its creations around town, while ravenous worm-hunters eagerly await their first hint of where a ceramic worm decorated to look like a pickle, or a crayon, or a rainbow dinosaur, can be found.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of decorate

Browse Nearby Words

compleat
complement
complementary
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Cite this Entry

“Complement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complement. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on complement

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about complement

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